Turkiye-Syria Earthquake: Death Toll Crosses 28,000 Mark, Clashes Hamper Rescue Ops — Updates

The rescue operations in the regions affected due to the earthquake in Turkiye and Syria are underway amid hopes of finding as many survivors as possible. The death toll has crossed the 28,000 mark.

New Delhi: The death toll due to the deadly earthquake in Turkiye and Syria has crossed the 28,000 mark with many still being feared dead, reported BBC. The rescue operations in Turkiye and Syria to save every possible life are underway as several countries including India intervene to help the devastated nations. However, several incidents of clashes have hampered the ongoing operations. 

Here Are The Latest Developments  

- According to the BBC, German and Austria, rescuers on Saturday halted the search operations citing clashes between unnamed groups.

- An Austrian army spokesperson said that clashes between unidentified groups in the Hatay province had left dozens of personnel from the Austrian Forces Disaster Relief Unit seeking shelter in a base camp with other international organisations, reported BBC. 

- Turkish army stepped in offering protection to Austrian rescuers hours after the latter paused its operation, BBC said citing Turkiye’s ministry of defence. 

- The German branch of the search and rescue group ISAR and Germany's Federal Agency for Technical Relief (TSW) also suspended operations, citing security concerns. "There are more and more reports of clashes between different factions, shots have also been fired," said ISAR spokesperson Stefan Heine. 

- ISAR operations manager Steven Bayer said he expected security to worsen as food, water, and hope become more scarce. 

- According to AFP, 48 people have been arrested in Turkiye for looting after the earthquake. Turkish state media reported several guns were seized, along with cash, jewellery and bank cards. 

- Turkish police have also reportedly detained 12 people over collapsed buildings in the provinces of Gaziantep and Sanliurfa. They included contractors, according to the DHA news agency, as per the BBC report. 

- Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he would use emergency powers to punish anyone breaking the law. "We've declared a state of emergency. It means that, from now on, the people who are involved in looting or kidnapping should know that the state's firm hand is on their backs," he said. 

- Germany's interior ministry said that it will grant three-month visas to Turkish and Syrian earthquake victims with family in the country. "This is emergency aid," German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told the daily newspaper Bild, reported ANI.